Smoky Maple-Glazed Whiskey Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-23 · Updated 2026-07-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy chicken thighs are pan-seared and finished with a smoky maple whiskey glaze that adds a deep, sweet, and robust flavor. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, smoked paprika, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup whiskey
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs and season evenly with 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 2: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and sear for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1/4 cup maple syrup and 1/4 cup whiskey, stirring to combine.
Step 4: Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, cooking the glaze for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, spoon the glaze over them, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, basting occasionally until cooked through and sticky.